The State of California Department of Motor Vehicle Code mandates that anyone contesting a parking citation complete a full review process. You may contest your parking ticket within 21 days of the issuance of the citation or 14 days from the mailing date of the courtesy reminder notice. You can appeal online here. City employees or the City Council cannot simply dismiss a parking citation. There is a standard 3-step appeal process that all citizens must follow:

Step 1: Administrative Review

Appeals must be first submitted here.

Within 30 days, the Thousand Oaks Police Department Traffic Bureau will review the citation based on the written information you have provided to determine if there is sufficient proof to rule that: - the violation did not occur; the registered owner was not responsible, or extenuating circumstances prevented you from complying. An email will be sent to you with the results of this review. If you are found to be “Not Liable,” the citation will be dismissed and your citation will be canceled. You will not need to take any further action.

If you are found to be “Liable,” you may schedule an administrative hearing to be conducted by an independent hearing officer (step 2).

Step 2: Administrative Hearing

If you are not satisfied with the results of the Administrative/Initial Review, you may request an Administrative Hearing either in person or by written declaration. You must request an Administrative Hearing within 21 days of the date of the Administrative/Initial Review decision. After 21 days you are no longer eligible for an Administrative Hearing.

To schedule an Administrative Hearing, please contact the Finance Department at (805) 449-2201 extension 3, no later than the due date identified on the results letter. Hearings are held at Thousand Oaks City Hallon the first Tuesday of every month.

State law requires that all fines owed on the citation are paid before you can request an Administrative Hearing.

If the Administrative Hearing is ruled in your favor, you will be issued a refund.

Step 3: Appeal

If you are found liable by the hearing officer and wish to continue contesting the citation, you may appeal the decision at Superior Court. You must request an appeal within 30 days of the Hearing Officer's decision and file for the appeal in person at the Superior Court. There is a filing fee per citation required by the Court, which will be refunded to you if the commissioner rules in your favor. You will also need to present the written Administrative Hearing decision at the time the appeal is filed. The written administrative hearing decision is submitted as evidence for the court appeal.

Parking citation appeals may be filed at the address listed below:

Ventura County Superior Court Criminal Traffic Division

Hall of Justice Room #118

800 S. Ventura Ave.

Ventura, CA 93009

(805) 654-2611

If you received a City of Thousand Oaks parking citation for violation 4-3.417(a), but you or your passenger possessed a valid placard, please follow the steps below to request a cancellation of your citation:

1. Sign Affidavit: Within 21 days of receiving the citation, the registered owner of the placard and the vehicle shall appear at the Finance Department to sign the City of Thousand Oaks' Handicapped Parking Violation Affidavit. The signing of the affidavit may also be witnessed by a Notary if any of the parties are unavailable to travel to City Hall.
2. Provide Official DMV Placard Registration Information Paperwork: The registration paperwork for the placard shall be provided showing the issue date, expiration date and the name of the placard holder. If you have lost or misplaced your placard registration, please request a new one from the DMV by following the steps at the bottom of this page.
3. Submit $21 Cancellation Fee: An administrative fee in the amount of $21.00 shall be made payable, via cash or check in-person at City Hall.

To request the replacement of your placard registration information card, please contact the Department of Motor Vehicles and request a copy of your Disabled Person Placard Registration Information with the original issue date. The DMV may charge a fee.